I was amazed by the amount of people who turned up for the benefit night. Looking around the room I realized there wasn’t a family there that hadn’t been helped by the hospice at some point.

No one wants to watch their nearest and dearest sick or dying. No one wants to think about it or imagine how they would cope.

This is where the Hospice comes in. They are with us helping us through the darkest and most difficult times. Making it that little bit easier for us and trying to help us and explain what is happening when we have no idea what to do.

Their kind words, big hearts and sensitivity encourage us to keep going and be strong. They have such a difficult job and do it with such good grace.

A lot of people thanked me for organizing the benefit night but that was such a small thing to do in comparison to the work of the hospice. They get little funding from the government and depend on the generosity of communities like ours to keep the hospice running.

I would like to thank everyone who supported the benefit night and especially those who entertained us in the competition– the talent was amazing. I would also like to thank all the people who helped make the night possible, Clanna Gael, the ticket and raffle ticket sellers, all the sponsors, everyone who sponsored us for the Parachute Jump and everyone who turned up on the night.

And thank you to Colin Farrell who donated his Jacket for Auction and of course Alice Foley who bought the jacket for €200.

I would like to thank my own family and friends for supporting me. Especially Ethyl Larkin who helped organize the night and Mark Hudson who did a parachute jump with me.

The total amount raised was €4472.20 which was given to Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross in the memory of May McDonnell and Emily Larkin, and to St Francis Hospice, Raheny in the memory of Janet Dennan.

Thank you to: Caitriona Dennan, Lisa Byrne, Robert Larkin, Alice Foley, Susan Byrne, Bridget Gannon, Rebecca Doyle, Christian Caulfield, Noel Doyle, Joanne Hudson-Murphy, Antoinette Neville, Pamela Neville, Garrett Dennan, Jason Dennan, Mary O’ Neill, Jonathon O’Connell, Patsy Doolin, Christine Ryder, Johnny Dennan, Nan Griffin, Julie Egan, Stephen McEvoy, Suzanne Doherty, Angela Marr, Karen Doyle, Philomena Tilly, Robert Neelan, Martin Neville, Stephen Murphy, Tony Masterson, Edel Gannon, Annmaire Kilkenny, Francis Daly.

Sandymount Hardware, Sandymount Chemist, Sandymount Hair Studio, The Yacht, Ringsend Chemist, Anna Goad, Ringsend Cleaners, Red Spot, Brown Thomas, Arnotts, Little Feet, Serena, Hibernian, Eagle Star, Wanderers, Canton House, Mespil Hotel, Merrion Hotel, Mount Herbert Hotel and Sankiev.

I hope I have not left anyone out, if I have I apologize, as your contribution did not go unnoticed. I look forward to seeing you all at the next Benefit night.